Summer holiday of St. Nicholas. Folk traditions of celebrating the day of memory of Nikolai Ugodnik

Nikola Summer(also vernal Nikola) is an Orthodox holiday in honor of the day of commemoration of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the Italian city of Bari at the end of the 11th century. Nikola summer is one of the non-passing church holidays and is celebrated annually by the Orthodox Church May 22, new style.

V Orthodox tradition Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered one of the most revered saints, the patron saint of sailors, merchants and children, as well as the protector of the innocently convicted.

Saint Nicholas was born in the Greek colony of Lycia (now Turkey) around the year 270 into a family of wealthy Christian parents. From early childhood, Nicholas was religious: he studied the Scriptures, read divine books, and attended liturgies. The uncle of the saint was a bishop, he also ordained Nicholas to the priesthood and instructed him to preach to the flock. The parishioners fell in love with the new presbyter for his mercy, attentiveness to the grief of others, and incredible generosity. Thus, having inherited the fortune of his parents after their death, Saint Nicholas distributed it to the poor. Being modest and meek, the saint strove to do alms in secret and hid his good deeds.

Saint Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visiting the most important places in the life of the Savior. Shortly after returning to Lycia, Nicholas was elected Bishop of Mir Lycia. Having taken the rank of bishop, the saint remained the same great ascetic, showing the flock an image of meekness, gentleness and love for people. But despite his humility and purity, the saint was a zealous and daring warrior of Christ's Church: he waged an uncompromising struggle against paganism and heresy.

During his life, St. Nicholas performed many miracles, for which he was called the Wonderworker: he denounced injustice, saved the poor, healed the sick, and even resurrected the dead.

Having reached a ripe old age, Nicholas the Wonderworker peacefully reposed in the Lord around 342-351. The relics of the saint were kept incorruptible in the local cathedral church and exuded a healing myrrh, from which many received healings.

H ikola summer and winter

In the 11th century, Turkish raids on the Greek Empire began: the Turks attempted to destroy the relics of St. Nicholas, deeply revered by the entire Christian world. In 1087, Italian merchants, fearing the desecration of the shrine by Muslims, set out to transfer the relics of the saint from the World of Lycia to the city of Bari.

Arriving at the temple where the relics of the saint rested, the merchants went to the tomb of the Wonderworker. The watchman monks, not suspecting anything, showed the strangers the platform under which the tomb of the saint was hidden. At the same time, one of the monks told about the appearance on the eve of St. Nicholas to one elder. In this vision, the Saint ordered that his relics be more carefully preserved. This story inspired the baryans; they saw for themselves in this phenomenon the permission and, as it were, an indication of the Holy One. To facilitate their actions, they revealed to the monks their intentions to transfer the relics and offered them a ransom. The watchmen refused the money and wanted to notify the inhabitants of the misfortune that threatened them. But the aliens tied them up and placed their guards at the door. They broke the church platform, under which stood the tomb with the relics. Having opened the tomb, the nobles saw that the sarcophagus was filled with fragrant holy myrrh.

In view of the absence of the ark, the baryans wrapped the relics of the saint in outer clothing and transferred them to the ship. On May 21, the ships sailed to Bari, and soon the good news spread throughout the city. The next day, May 22, the relics of St. Nicholas were solemnly transferred to the Church of St. Stephen. The celebration of the transfer of the shrine was accompanied by numerous miraculous healings of the sick, which instilled even greater reverence for the great Saint. A year later, a church was built in Bari in the name of St. Nicholas. The relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept in this church and now - everyone can bow to them.

The event associated with the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas was called the holiday Nikola of Summer, which is celebrated on May 22 according to the new style. In the beginning, the feast of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas was celebrated only by the inhabitants of the Italian city of Bari. In other countries of the Christian world, it was not accepted, due to the fact that in the Middle Ages, mainly local shrines were honored. In addition, the Greek Church did not establish the celebration of this date, because the loss of the relics of the Saint was a sad event for her.

By the Russian Orthodox Church, the celebration of the memory of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from the World of Lycia to Bari was established shortly after 1087 on the basis of the deep, well-established veneration of St. Nicholas by the Russian people.

Nikola Zimniy(Cold) in the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to call the day of the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Just like Nikola Summer, this day is one of non-transferable and is celebrated on December 19 according to the new style.

In Russia, it was believed that on this day Nikolai Ugodnik descended from heaven to the snow-covered earth and traveled across Russian land, expelling dark spirits.

Icons of Nikola Ugodnik

In the Russian Church, two images of the Wonderworker are especially common: full-length and half-length. One of the classic examples of a full-length icon is a fresco from the Mikhailovsky Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev, painted at the beginning of the 12th century (kept in the Tretyakov Gallery). This fresco depicts the saint in full height, with a blessing right hand and an open Gospel in his left hand.

On icons of the belt type, the saint is depicted with a closed Gospel on his left hand. In Russia, the earliest surviving similar image dates back to the end of the 12th century. Ivan the Terrible brought it from Novgorod the Great and placed it in the Smolensky Cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent (also kept in the Tretyakov Gallery).

Also, in the iconography of the saint, the icons of St. Nicholas of Winter and St. Nicholas of Summer are sometimes singled out, corresponding to the days of veneration in the year. At the same time, the "winter" Nikola is depicted in a bishop's miter, and the "summer" one is depicted with an uncovered head. On most icons, on the sides of the head of St. Nicholas, there are also small images of the Lord with the Gospel and the Most Holy Theotokos with a bishop's omophorion in her hands.

Prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Troparion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

The rule of faith and the image of meekness, the abstinence of the teacher reveal the truth to your flock of things: for this sake you acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

Translation:

By the rule of faith, by the example of meekness, temperance, the teacher has shown you your life to your flock. And therefore, with humility, you acquired greatness, poverty - wealth: Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

In Mirech, holy, the clergyman appeared to you: Christ, reverend, having fulfilled the Gospel, lay down your soul about your people, and saved the innocent from death; for this sake you were sanctified, like a great secret place of God's grace.

Translation:

In the Worlds, you, saint, appeared as a performer of sacred rites: having fulfilled the gospel teaching of Christ, you, reverend, laid down your soul for your people and the innocent delivered from death. Therefore, he was sanctified as a great minister of the mysteries of God's grace.

First prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Oh, all-holy Nicholas, the most beautiful servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper!

Help me a sinner and despondent in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, having sinned from my youth, in all my life, deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, implore the Lord God, all creatures of the Sodetel, to deliver me air ordeals and eternal torment: may I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and forever and ever.

Second prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

O all-praised, great wonderworker, Saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!

We pray to you, wake up the hope of all Christians, faithful protectors, hungry feeders, crying joy, sick doctors, floating rulers on the sea, feeders of the poor and orphans and an early helper and patron to everyone, let us live a peaceful life here and let us be able to see the glory of God's chosen ones in heaven , and with them to unceasingly sing of the one in the Trinity, the worshiped God forever and ever. Amen.

Third Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O all-praised and all-pious bishop, the great Wonderworker, the Hierarch of Christ, Father Nicholas, a man of God and a faithful servant, a husband of desires, a chosen vessel, a strong pillar of the church, a bright lamp, a star illuminating and illuminating the entire universe: you are a righteous man, like a date blossomed, planted in the courts of your Lord, living in the Worlds, thou hast been fragrant with the world, and exuding the ever-flowing grace of God.

By your procession, Holy Father, the sea is illuminated, when your miraculous relics go to the city of Barsky, from east to west, praise the name of the Lord.

O graceful and wonderful Wonderworker, quick helper, warm intercessor, kind shepherd, saving the verbal flock from all sorts of troubles, we glorify you and magnify you, as the hope of all Christians, the source of miracles, the protector of the faithful, the wise teacher, the hungry feeder, weeping joy, naked clothing , the sick doctor, the steward floating on the sea, the captives of the liberator, the widows and orphans of the feeder and intercessor, the chastity of the guardian, the meek punisher of babies, the old fortifications, the fasting mentor, the laboring ecstasy, the poor and the wretched abundant wealth.

Hear us praying to you and fleeing under your roof, manifest your intercession for us to the Most High, and proceed with your God-pleasing prayers, all that is useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies: save this holy monastery (or this temple), every city and all, and every Christian country, and people living from every anger with your help:

Vema bo, vemy, how much can the prayer of the righteous hurrying for good: to you the righteous, according to the blessed Virgin Mary, the intercessor to the All-Merciful God of the imam, and to your good father, warm intercession and intercession humbly flow: you keep us as cheerful and kind shepherd, from all enemies, destruction, cowardice, hail, famine, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners, and in all our troubles and sorrows, give us a helping hand, and open the doors of God's mercy, because we are not worthy to see the height of heaven, from many of our iniquities, are bound by the bonds of sin, and let us not save the will of our Creator, nor keep his commands.

In the same way, we bow our knees, contrite and humble of our hearts to our Creator, and we ask for your paternal intercession to Him:

Help us, the Pleasant of God, let us not perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil, and from all things opposing, direct our mind and strengthen our heart in the right faith, in it with your intercession and intercession, neither wounds, nor banning, nor pestilence, by no wrath will he let me live in this age, and save me from standing, and vouchsafe the right hand with all the saints. Amen.

Fourth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, St. Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners, praying to you and calling for your help, your speedy intercession; see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened by the mind from cowardice; rush, servant of God, do not leave us in the sinful captivity of being, let us not be our enemy in joy and die in our evil deeds.

Pray for us unworthy of our Sovereign and Lord, but you stand before him with incorporeal faces: be merciful to us, create our God in this life and in the future, let him not reward us according to our deeds and according to the impurity of our hearts, but according to your goodness will reward us .

We hope for your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call on your intercession for help, and we fall down to your most holy image, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that are upon us, and tame the waves of passions and troubles that rise against us, but for the sake of Your holy prayers will not attack us and we will not be mired in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions. Moth, to St. Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, give us a peaceful life and the remission of sins, but salvation and great mercy to our souls, now and ever and forever and ever.

Prayer 5 to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

O great intercessor, the bishop of God, blessed Nicholas, who shines miracles like a sunflower, who calls upon you as a quick hearer, you always anticipate and save, and deliver, and take away all kinds of troubles, from God given to you miracles and gifts of grace!

Hear me unworthy, calling you with faith and bringing prayer to you singing; I offer you an intercessor for supplication to Christ.

O notorious in miracles, high saint! as if you have boldness, soon stand before the Lord, and reverence your hands in prayer to Him, stretch out for me a sinner, and from Him give bounties of goodness, and accept me as your intercession, and deliver me from all troubles and evils, from the invasion of enemies visible and invisible freeing, and destroying all those slanders and malice, and reflecting those who fight me in my whole life; ask for forgiveness by my sin, and present me to Christ and save the Kingdom of Heaven for the multitude of that philanthropy, he deserves all glory, honor and worship, with his Father without beginning, and with the Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever and forever centuries.

Sixth Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker

Oh, the all-good Father Nicholas, the shepherd and teacher of all those who by faith flow to your intercession, and call you with warm prayer, soon rush, and deliver Christ's flock from the wolves that destroy it, that is, from the invasion of the wicked Latins rising up against us.

Protect and save our country, and every country in Orthodoxy, with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, the sword, the invasion of foreigners, from internecine and bloody warfare.

And as if you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and delivered them from the tsar’s wrath and the cutting of the sword, so have mercy and deliver the Great, Little and White Russia Orthodox people from the pernicious heresy of the Latins.

As if by your intercession and help, by His own mercy and grace, Christ God, may He look with His merciful eye on people in the ignorance of existence, even though they don’t know their right hands, even more so young, with which Latin seductions are spoken in a hedgehog to turn away from the Orthodox faith, may the mind of His people enlighten, may they not be tempted and fall away from the faith of the fathers, conscience, lulled by vain wisdom and ignorance, may it awaken, turn the will to the preservation of the holy Orthodox faith, may it remember the faith and humility of our fathers, your life for the Orthodox faith who have put, accepting the prayers of the warmth of His holy saints, who have shone forth in our land, keeping us from delusion and heresy of the Latins, and having preserved us in holy Orthodoxy, vouchsafe us at His terrible Judgment of the right hand to stand with all the saints. Amen.

Prayers of the mother of a soldier to Nikola Ugodnik

On the Internet, you can also find the so-called "prayer of the mother of a soldier to Nicholas the Wonderworker." In addition to the prayer itself to Nikolai Ugodnik, the description contains a whole instruction on what a mother should do when she is worried about her son who is in the army. So, after reading a prayer, you need to buy candles for the house and every time, worrying about your son, light a candle and represent the image of your child. The author of the prayer calls this approach a good psychological technique that helps "on the energy level" not only the employee, but also the mother herself.

For advice on the authenticity and reliability of this approach, we turned to Archpriest Alexei Mityushin, Rector of the Church Life-Giving Trinity in Kozhukhovo:

« I must say that any prayer is, first of all, not a spell, but a living conversation with God. The ancient ascetics did not read prayers according to the prayer book, but prayed from their hearts. US, ordinary people, often there are not enough lofty words in an appeal to the Lord. However, it should be remembered that in order to turn to God with all devotion, it is enough for us to use the prayers that the holy saints of God have left us.

Therefore, if any of the mothers wants to pray for their son, who is in a situation or is serving in the army, it is better to turn to God with the usual prayer from an Orthodox prayer book.

Looking at such a prayer, which is interspersed with conspiracies and witchcraft (which the author of this prayer clearly writes about), a person will continue to delve into these non-church prayers and conspiracies. And in the future, he may even begin to practice some kind of meditation, which will eventually end in communication with unclean spirits.

In this regard, there is no need to invent a bicycle, look for special prayers, follow the methods invented by someone. If parents want their son to be under the protection of God, then you must first of all live a Christian life yourself, receive the Sacraments of confession and the Eucharist, and then pray tirelessly - no matter what saint, the main thing is that this prayer comes from the heart.

Temples of Nikola Ugodnik

In Russia, the first church in the name of Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in Kiev by Princess Olga in 882, even before the adoption of Christianity. In many Russian cities, the main cathedrals and monasteries were named after Saint Nicholas: in Veliky Novgorod, Zaraysk, Kiev, Smolensk, Pskov, Galich, Arkhangelsk, Tobolsk and many other cities. In the Moscow province, three Nikolsky monasteries were built: Nikolo-Greek (Old) in Kitai-gorod, Nikolo-Perervinsky and Nikolo-Ugreshsky. In addition, one of the main towers of the Moscow Kremlin was named Nikolskaya.

At present, only in Moscow there are about 50 churches named after St. Nicholas.

The most famous temples of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the world are: the basilica at the place of service of the saint in the Lycian Worlds (now Demre, Turkey), as well as the basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari (Italy), where the relics of the saint are kept.

On the announcement is a fragment of the painting The Salvation of Sailors by St. Nicholas. (Gentile da Fabriano, c. 1425)

http://foma.ru/nikola-letniy.html

May 22 is the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. In the people this holiday is called Nikola Summer.

Saint Nicholas in Orthodox calendar holidays are given two days of remembrance - December 19 and May 22. (Nikola Winter and Nikola Summer). If in December believers commemorate the day of the death of the Wonderworker, then the May day of commemoration is associated with the transfer of his relics.

There is a legend that explains why church calendar Saint Nicholas is allotted two whole days of commemoration. St. Kasyan and Nikolai the Wonderworker were walking, they saw a man who was trying to pull a cart out of the mud. Kasyan passed by - he did not want to get dirty, and Nikolai helped the peasant. God found out about this and gave Nicholas two holidays a year.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered and beloved saints in the Orthodox world. Prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker had a special power. It is customary for him to pray for help, intercession, marriage, and good luck on the road.

Saint Nicholas during his lifetime was known for his miracles and good deeds. Despite being revered by the people, he remained modest and meek and served God all his life. Built in his name a large number of temples around the world. His icons exude a miraculous myrrh, and prayers addressed to him have a result.

Signs, traditions and customs on Nikola Summer

• Nicholas the Wonderworker has always been considered the closest saint to God. As you know, prayers on this day have great power.
• Starting from Nikola Summer on May 22, horses were harvested, as well as the planting of potatoes and buckwheat. On this day sheep were sheared.
• On this day, young girls who wanted to get married turned to St. Nicholas the Pleasant, since he is also considered the patron saint of lovers.
• Rain on Nikola Summer - fortunately and a rich harvest. They said about this day: "Great is the mercy of God, if it rains on Nikolin's day."
• If frogs croak on Nikola, then the harvest will be good.
• Predletye (from May 22 to June 10) began from St. Nicholas Day. At this time there could be rain and thunderstorms. good sign damp weather was considered at this time - "Rain in May raises bread."

In the Russian Orthodox tradition, there are two holidays with a similar name - Nikola Summer (or Spring) and Nikola Winter (or Icy). winter holiday is dedicated to Nicholas the Confessor, and the summer, or rather spring, is dedicated to St. Nicholas the Pleasant, beloved by the people. In our article, we will talk about what date Nikola Summer is celebrated in 2017, what traditions and customs are associated with this holiday.

What date is Nikola Summer in 2017?

The feast in honor of the memory of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas is celebrated at the end of May, on the 22nd of the new style (May 9 to julian calendar). It is not without reason that the holiday is called Summer or Spring - this day, according to tradition, met spring and summer, and the gentle spring sun became hot and hot summer.

In addition to the names Nikola Summer and Nikola Veshny, the names Herbal Day, Warm Day or Nikola with Warmth have stuck to this holiday.

The role of the holiday in Orthodoxy

Unlike Catholic traditions, in Orthodoxy, the day of veneration of St. Nicholas the Pleasant was celebrated very widely. Moreover, such an attitude is noticeable only in Russian Orthodoxy, more precisely, among the Slavs of the eastern and southern regions. The Greek Church does not consider this holiday as a celebration in general; in Catholicism, the memory of the transfer of relics is honored only in Italy. In Russia, this holiday was considered one of the most important and beloved among the people. This is due to the role of Nicholas Ugodnik in Russian traditions. This saint has long been revered as a favorite of God, located at His right hand. In some regions, there were even separate prayers, though not approved by the church canon, in which the peasants turned directly to the Pleasant with the same requests as to God.

The veneration of St. Nicholas in Russia began in the 11th century, several decades after the establishment of Orthodoxy.

Customs and traditions

A huge number of traditions and customs are associated with the day of St. Nicholas the Pleasant. First of all, because of the continuity of Russian Orthodoxy - in the minds of the people, Nikolai partly replaced Veles, the cattle god, and partly - Mother Earth Cheese. Hence the patronage that he renders to farmers and cattle breeders, especially horsemen.

For the first time, horses were led out to Nikola Summer at night. On the first night, when the horses were left to free-range in the field, it was impossible to sleep, otherwise the wolves would have attacked the herd in the future. Another tradition is connected with protection from wolves: a wrought iron knife was stuck into the pillar or threshold of the gate; the wolf will not attack the courtyard protected in this way.

The farmers had their own signs associated with this day. So, rain on Nikola Veshny was considered a sign of an excellent future harvest, and prayers offered up in the rain provided rain at the right time throughout the summer. If the day was sunny and hot, prayers were held at the wells and streams, in which the peasants asked for rain. After the prayers, the participants procession poured themselves with well water and splashed the same water on the cattle and fields.

It was forbidden to erect and repair fences and hedges on Nikola, to divide, that is, to survey the land, and women were strictly forbidden to pull and warp threads for weaving.

And of course, what is a holiday without folk festivals? A few weeks before Nikola, it was customary to put on beer in order to please yourself with a fresh intoxicating drink that day. Pastries, nuts and raisins were must-haves holiday table. It was customary to paint eggs on Nikola of Summer - and not only in red, as on Easter, but also in yellow or green colors. In some provinces, colored eggs were replaced by scrambled eggs - always fried eggs, with herbs and salt.

Nikola - the patron god of all Russians
medieval writer Jan Lisowski.

Why does St. Nicholas have two holidays?

Saint Nicholas - the most revered

Russian people Saint

St. Kasyan and Nikola Ugodnik were walking along the land, they saw a peasant trying to pull out a cart bogged down in the mud. Kasyan passed by - he did not want to soil the heavenly dress, and Nikola helped the peasant.

When the Lord God found out about this, he put Nikola two holidays a year - in spring and autumn. These are, respectively, the aforementioned "Nikola Veshny", also called "Nikola with feed" (this means that the herbs are ripe for livestock), and "Nikola Winter", celebrated on December 19 (December 6 according to the Julian calendar). And Kasyanov's Day (popularly also called Kasyan the Unmerciful, Kasyan the Envy, Crooked Kasyan) is celebrated once every 4 years - February 29th.

Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Pleasant of God, in Russia from time immemorial has been revered hardly on a par with Jesus Christ and the Mother of God, above all other saints. There was even a legend among the people that Nikolai was supposed to become God, but he refused. According to the conviction of a Russian, St. Nicholas was his first assistant in all matters and a protector from all troubles. One of the epics says: “Lord, Lord, the light will have mercy, and Holy Mother The Mother of God will intercede, and save, yes, Mykola the Many-Merciful.

Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Pleasure of God

The anonymous author of the French book "NOUVE AU VOYAGE DU NORT" ("New Journeys to the North"), published in 1682, notes among other things: " The simple Russian people are extremely stupid and idolaters. Those who live in the North, in Arkhangelsk, Kola on the Kola Peninsula, etc., do not know any other god than St. Nicholas, who, in their opinion, rules the whole world. They claim that he sailed on a millstone from Italy itself to the harbor that bears his name, near Arkhangelsk. And if anyone expresses disbelief in this story, he is at least risking his life. ».

Let's leave assessments of the intellectual level of a Russian person by a visiting French scribbler on his conscience. Nevertheless, the essence of his note corresponded to the truth: the veneration of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Russia was such that the saint was perceived as "the main protector of the Russian land." Moreover, in the Middle Ages, our western neighbors, the Poles, perceived it as such. Of course, they did not have warm feelings for Russia, but as a given they stated the fact that “Nikola is the patron god of all Russians” (the medieval writer Yan Lisovsky writes about this, in particular).

Another French traveler, de la Martiniere, also noting that the Russians revere St. Nicholas as a god, added that as a result, the Tatars also call all Russian icons “Nikolai”. Martiniere, however, pointed out that the Tatars, as Muslims, do not recognize the veneration of icons. But the Austrian diplomat Herberstein says that sometimes the Tatars turn to St. Nicholas with prayers.

The canonical life reports that St. Nicholas lived in the 3rd-4th centuries, was the archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia, an Asia Minor province of the Roman Empire (the territory of modern Turkey), and belonged to the number of prominent church leaders of the first centuries of Christianity. During the persecution of Christians undertaken by the Roman emperor Diocletian, Saint Nicholas, together with his co-religionists, was imprisoned and stayed there for a long time, "enduring severe suffering, enduring hunger and thirst and prison overcrowding." When the Christian Constantine the Great replaced the pagan Diocletian and his successors on the Roman throne, Nicholas was released and continued his church activities.

It is not by chance that Saint Nicholas is revered as a miracle worker. Even during his lifetime, he became famous as a pacifier of the warring and a deliverer from a vain death. The life tells how St. Nicholas calmed sea storms with a word and saved sinking ships, so he was revered as the patron of all sailors and travelers. Repeatedly he appeared in a dream to the powerful of this world in order to restore justice and save the innocently condemned. There is a legend about how he revived three young men killed by robbers. But often the help of St. Nicholas was not of a miraculous nature, but was an ordinary human mercy - not so common, however, in all ages.

By the way, Saint Nicholas has been known in Russia for a very long time (in particular, Prince Askold was baptized under the name of Nicholas back in 860), but the real cult of the saint began to take shape only from the end of the 11th century. And here it was not without politics. Then Kiev prince Vsevolod Yaroslavovich, although he was considered a "Grecophile", led a very active policy of interaction with the Western world. His daughter Eupraxia became the wife of the German emperor Henry IV, who was in a state of fierce enmity with the Roman throne. The marriage, meanwhile, was also unhappy. And Eupraxia had to resort to the help of the Pope, seeking the dissolution of the marriage, and he willingly used the revelations of Eupraxia about the private life of the emperor - for the ecumenical denunciation of the latter. Vsevolod maintained partnership relations with the papal throne. And when, in 1087, Italian merchants transported the relics of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, from Mir to the Italian city of Bari, explaining their act by the desire to save the Christian shrine from destruction by the Muslim Turks, Vsevolod established a holiday in Russia in honor of this event. This is a holiday, which is now called "Nikola Veshny" (that is, "spring") and falls on May 22 (May 9 according to the Julian calendar).

Meanwhile, in the Greek Church there is no such holiday to this day. In the Roman Church, St. Nicholas gained popularity under the guise of St. Nikolaus (the prototype of Santa Claus), but he is seriously revered only in Bari, where the saint's relics are laid to rest in the crypt of the basilica that bears his name. But in Russia, the veneration of St. Nicholas, and by all sectors of society, has become unprecedented.

This happened because in Russia the image of St. Nicholas, a mourner for human misfortunes, completely obscured the image of Nicholas, the church hierarch. In the popular mind, Nikolai turned into a peasant - "peasant" - a saint, wise and just, understanding everyday human needs, always ready to help. However, such ideas are inherent not only to peasants: Nikola Ugodnik has long been considered the patron saint of military people, and with the advent of the Russian fleet, his sailors (he is also considered the patron saint of sailors in Greece).

On May 22, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas. In the people this day is lovingly called "Nikola Summer".

Saint Nicholas is one of the most beloved saints in Russia; many churches have been erected in his honor. In every house there was always an icon of the saint, inextinguishable lamps were lit in front of it, people prayed before it for a successful marriage, for travelers, seafarers, for deliverance from slander. Orthodox Church commemorates St. Nicholas every week: on Thursdays every week, along with the apostles.

According to legend, St. Nicholas was born in the second half of the 3rd century in the city of Patara in Lycia (a historical region in Asia Minor) into a family of pious parents. Until a very old age, they did not have children and in unceasing prayer asked the Almighty to give them a son, promising to devote him to the service of God. Their prayer was heard: a son was born, who at baptism received the name Nicholas, which means in Greek "the conquering people."

The young man was brought up under the guidance of his uncle, the local bishop. As a vocation, Nicholas chose the service of God. Having gone from a junior church minister to a bishop, he became the archbishop of the city of Lycian Myra. Nicholas was distinguished by love and compassion for people, he helped the poor and the destitute, giving away almost all the money he received. He left only the essentials for himself.

Once Nicholas secretly threw three bundles of gold into the house of a man who was in an extremely distressed situation and had to marry his three daughters to unloved suitors. The man fell into despair and decided to sacrifice the honor of his daughters and extract from their beauty the means necessary for a dowry. Saint Nicholas, vigilantly watching over the needs of his flock, received a revelation from God about his father's criminal intentions and decided to deliver him from poverty and spiritual death. At midnight, he threw gold out the window, and he himself hastily returned home. The father thanked God and was soon able to marry his eldest daughter. The second time was repeated by St. Nicholas was a benefactor, and the third time the father decided at all costs to recognize his secret benefactor and thank him: when the saint threw the third bundle, the father caught up with him and fell at his feet, but the saint, out of deep humility, ordered not to tell anyone about what had happened .

For meekness and kindness, St. Nicholas won the great love of the people.

As it is said in the life of St. Nicholas, he traveled to Jerusalem. Reaching ancient city, the saint, ascending Golgotha, thanked the Savior of the human race and went around all the holy places, worshiping and praying. There is a legend that during a visit to the holy places of Palestine, St. Nicholas wished one night to pray in the temple; He approached the locked doors, and the doors opened of their own accord so that the Chosen One of God could enter the temple.

Returning to Lycia, the saint wanted to leave the world for the Zion monastery, but the Lord announced a different path awaiting him: “Nicholas, this is not the field on which you should bear the fruit I expect; go from here and go into the world, to the people, so that my name may be glorified in you!"

In obedience, Saint Nicholas withdrew from the monastery and chose not his city of Patara, where everyone knew him and showed him honors, but the big city of Myra, the capital and metropolis of the Lycian land, where, unknown to anyone, he could rather avoid worldly glory. He lived like a beggar, had nowhere to lay his head, but inevitably visited all church services. After the death of Archbishop John, he was elected Bishop of the World of Lycia, after one of the bishops of the Council, which decided the issue of election, was indicated in a vision by God's chosen one - St. Nicholas.

Having become an archbishop, Nicholas remained the same great ascetic, showing the flock an image of meekness and love for people. It was especially dear to the Lycian church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284 - 305). Bishop Nicholas, imprisoned along with other Christians, supported them and exhorted them to firmly endure the bonds, torture and torment. When Constantine Equal-to-the-Apostles came to power, Saint Nicholas returned to his flock.

Another significant event in the life of St. Nicholas became I Ecumenical Council, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325, when the heresy of Arius was spreading. (He rejected the deity of Christ and did not recognize Him as consubstantial with the Father.) There is a legend that during one of the conciliar sessions, unable to endure the blasphemy of Arius, Saint Nicholas struck this heretic on the cheek. The Fathers of the Council considered such an act inappropriate and deprived St. Nicholas of his episcopal rank and imprisoned him in a prison tower. But soon many of them had a vision when, before their eyes, our Lord Jesus Christ gave St. Nicholas the Gospel, and Holy Mother of God put an omophorion on him. Then St. Nikolai was released, his dignity was returned to him.

Even Muslim Turks have a deep respect for the saint: in the tower they still carefully keep the dungeon where this great man was imprisoned.

Having reached a ripe old age, in the year 345 Saint Nicholas died peacefully.

According to legend, his relics were kept incorrupt in the local cathedral church and exuded healing myrrh. In the XI century, the Turks began their attacks on the Greek Empire, during which the shrines of Christians - temples, relics and icons - were desecrated. There was an attempt to desecrate the relics of St. Nicholas, but a terrible storm with thunder and lightning did not allow this to be done.

In 1087, the merchants of the Italian city of Bari took the relics of St. Nicholas from the World of Lycia. They explained their action by the desire to save the Christian shrine from destruction by the Muslim Turks, who at that time were outrageous in the possessions of the Greek Empire in Asia Minor. There is also a legend that Nicholas appeared in a dream to a priest from the city of Baria and ordered that his relics be transferred to this city.

Three ships were equipped to carry the relics. Presbyters and noble citizens under the guise of merchants went to Myra. Simultaneously with the inhabitants of Bari, the Venetians also went to Myra, who also wanted to transfer the relics of Nicholas to themselves.

The baryans arrived in the Lycian land by circuitous routes, through Egypt and Palestine. At first, the baryans tried to bribe the monks and take away the relics. But the monks began to resist, and then the nobles used force. The tomb was opened, and the relics were transported to Bari. The journey lasted 20 days and ended on May 9 (May 22 according to the new style).

The celebration of the transfer of the relics of Nicholas the Pleasant to the Church of St. Stephen in Bari was accompanied by numerous healings of the sick. A year later, a church was specially built in the city in the name of St. Nicholas, which was consecrated by Pope Urban II.

The Monk Nestor the Chronicler testifies that the first church in the name of St. Nicholas in Russia was built in Kiev as early as 882 - before the official adoption of Christianity.

The following custom, which was observed in Muscovite Russia, perfectly characterizes the hope of the Russian army for the saint. At 9 or 10 o’clock in the evening, when the gates of the Kremlin were locked, the streltsy guards began to call to each other like this: “Near the Cathedral of the Assumption, the first watch guard began long and loudly, as if in a singsong voice:“ Most Holy Theotokos, save us! ”After him, the second in the near pit He proclaimed: “Holy Moscow miracle workers, pray to God for us!” Then the third: “Saint Nicholas the miracle worker, pray to God for us!” Then the fourth: “All saints, pray to God for us!” Fifth: “Glorious city of Moscow!” Sixth: “Glorious is the city of Suzdal!” and so Rostov, Yaroslavl, Smolensk, etc. were called. Mother of God and Russian saints of God, Russian soldiers considered their protector and patron.

Church tradition keeps evidence of many miracles performed through the prayers of Nicholas. The legend about how Nicholas of Myra saved three innocently condemned from death inspired I. Repin to paint the picture. The hallmarks of the saint's icon depict the miracles included in his biography.

But not only in books and chronicles one can read about the miracles of the saint: today the saint, as always, helps those who turn to him with prayer, and contemporary miracles of the saint occur no less often than in former times.

Many miraculous icons of the saint were created in Russia and brought from other countries. This is an ancient Byzantine half-length image of the saint (XII), brought to Moscow from Novgorod, and a huge icon painted in the 13th century by a Novgorod master. Two images of the wonderworker are especially common in the Russian Church: St. Nicholas of Zaraisk - full-length, with a blessing right hand and the Gospel (this image was brought to Ryazan in 1225 by the Byzantine princess Eupraxia, who became the wife of the Ryazan prince Theodore and died in 1237 with her husband and baby - son during the invasion of Batu), and St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk - also in growth, with a sword in right hand and the city on the left - in memory miraculous salvation, through the prayers of the saint, the city of Mozhaisk from the attack of enemies.